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After almost 20 years of effort and overcoming a number of
financial hurdles, the County
CourtofMonroeCounty has completed the
final stages of construction of a new court facility. Judge Jim
Peters has been the presiding judge of the court since 1989 and
had repeatedly met with the Monroe County Commission-ers
regarding the need for a new facility; however, funds were never
available. After 20 years, enough money was accumulated in the
court’s own Special Projects Fund to begin the project. The
balance was borrowed and the payments on the loan are paid by
the court from the same fund. None of the funds used to finance
the project came from the County General Fund.

The new facility features a blend of modern design and the
historic dignity of the courthouse. The bench from the old
courtroom was salvaged and installed in the new courtroom. The
original white oak chairs from the Common Pleas Court jury box were pulled
out of storage at the County Home and installed in the new jury
box. The counsel table, which has been in use in the court for
nearly a hundred years, was refinished by inmates at the Monroe
County Jail and put back into service.

The seating in the courtroom gallery is white oak benches with
pads which were found on a website featuring used church
furniture. Nine 13 foot long white oak pews were purchased from
a church in southwest Ohio, at a cost of $125 each and are very
similar to the white oak benches in the Common Pleas courtroom.
Decorating the walls of the courthouse are large copies of the
original blue prints of the Monroe County Courthouse.

While maintaining the historical ambiance of the courthouse, the
courtroom features state of the art digital recording software,
a flat screen display for viewing exhibits videos and
photographs, and the latest probation management software. The
Clerk of the court occupies the former office of the CountyCommissioners
while the courtroom and Probation Department are in the space
formerly occupied by the Monroe County Soil and Water
Conservation District. In addition to Judge Peters, the court is
staffed by Clerk Brenda Roberts, Deputy Clerk Sunessa Miller,
Chief Probation Officer Jason Harter and Probation Officer Mike
Young.

Many things concern me with the direction our community and
world is heading. There is no pride in our towns or communities;
a do-as-I-please attitude; no caring for others. the welfare of
animals is put before the welfare of our fellowman.

Why doesn’t every business/owner in downtown Woodsfield have to
keep their sidewalks clean of ice and snow? How about keeping
them in good repair?

How long are we going to have to look at that beautiful orange
fence in the center of town? Is it trying to hide the pipe
stored there and the mud hole?

I heard schools in one community are delaying school on Feb. 7,
so students could stay up to watch the Super Bowl. Really? Sure
it wasn’t to give the adults time to recover from their parties?
Is this a wise choice for delaying our children’s education?

Why are we treating animals, especially dogs, better than
people? I don’t believe in mistreating animals but are we not
going overboard -- bake sale for a dog, fundraisers to help pay
the vet bills, etc? Why not put our efforts into helping our
veterans pay their doctor bills, bake sales for those folks not
able to pay for medication? Where is the old fashion concern
for people? Why not check in on the shut-ins - pay them a visit
- do a good deed for someone?

I challenge everyone to take a long hard look at themselves.
What can you do to show pride in our communities? What can you
do to be a good neighbor?

We must all strive to not follow society’s newest craze, or
what’s popular. Let’s improve our community pride and create a
loving world for future generations.

Well, the big Super Bowl is over. I’m kind of glad it is. I was
getting a tink tired of seeing and hearing Steelers.

Although I am not a fan of professional sports, I did want the
Steelers to win and felt they would pull out a win even during
the last minute or so. As you know, they didn’t, much to the
disappointment of you Steeler fans. No big celebration, just a
let down.

A couple of reasons I wanted the Steelers to win. First of all,
a number of friends and folks I know are Steeler fans. The
second reason was just about all the so-called experts that try
to show how much they know and explain what you just saw, picked
the Packers to win. In fact, only two that I saw in the pre-game
picked the Steelers to win and one of those was Terry Bradshaw,
who would have probably gotten shot if he had picked the
Packers. I like to see these guys pick wrong. The 55 people the
Times Leader asked to predict the outcome, 20 picked the Packers
and 35 picked the Steelers. I have to admit it but the elephant
maybe had some inside information when it walked over and
smashed the Steeler watermelon. Maybe even caused the three
turnovers.

One thing I didn’t like about the Super Bowl was the singing of
our National Anthem. I probably shouldn’t say it, but I’m going
to anyway. To this old veteran, who at the age of 20, was a kid
on Iwo Jima, taking care of wounded Marines and spent six months
in Japan
after the war, it was an insult. I cannot understand why so many
of our singers think they have to screek, scream and yell when
they sing our National Anthem. To me it’s an insult and to our
country. Singing as it was written shows respect.

One other thing I liked about the Super Bowl was the halftime
show. I could hardly wait to watch and hear the “Black Eyed
Peas” at halftime. Who am I kidding? To me it was about as
exciting as sitting on our deck in the rain watching the grass
grow and the water flowing down Back Street. I’ll never know or
understand what is called music nowadays. Jumping and yelling
and singing words that you can’t understand even with new
batteries in your hearing aids. I guess I’m just not with it or
something. OK I could have turned the TV to a basketball game
and not watched the halftime show. Then I wouldn’t have had it
to gripe about. I understand that over 111 million people
watched the telecast, largest TV audience ever. Maybe a million
bucks for a 30 second commercial is worth it? Over 111 people
for a buck.

I started out complaining about the Super Bowl hype many days
before the event and then here I’ve spent two plus pages
complaining about some of the things I disliked about the
program. It does you good to complain sometimes even if it
doesn’t accomplish much.

Remember: The best safety device in a car is a rearview mirror
with a police officer in it.

I had a chance a few weeks ago to ride in a brand spanking new
car. Wow! I didn’t realize what a new car could offer. In
addition to having a seat warmer to keep your bottom end warm
when it’s cold, which could be a job for some drivers, you tell
it a phone number and it will dial it, connect and talk to you.
It shows you how fast you are going, how much fuel you are
using, the miles per gallon if running on gasoline, how far you
can drive before stopping to fill up, the time of day, world
wide radio, a see-through roof on some, the temperature, to name
just a few. In fact, it will do just about everything except go
to the bathroom for you and it can be equipped to tell and show
you where the nearest restroom is located. Then to top things
off it has a camera in the back to let you know what you’ve hit
when you back up. I’ve only touched on a few of the things
available. They have come a long way since the Model T Ford.

Here I am, nearly finished writing for this week and I haven’t
mentioned anything or complained about the weather, and I’m not
as February is only a couple or so weeks longer then the good
stuff rolls in, I hope.

I kind of hate to tell you this, but things sometimes happen.
Turning on our TV about 12:30 Sunday and plopping in my easy
chair until near midnight, flipping from post game, OSU
basketball game and several trips to you know where it was close
to Monday. I stayed till the bitter end and the news. I hustled
off to bed and do you know what happened? I wasn’t sleepy. I got
up at one o’clock, watched a movie, went back to bed at 2:30
a.m. and slept till 10:30 a.m. So there!

In celebration of Adult Education Week, a certificate ceremony
was held Feb. 14 for participants in the Adult Basic Literacy
Education (ABLE) program. Classes are held at the old
WoodsfieldHigh School.

“These students have continued to make great strides towards a
successful future and these accomplishments showcase the hard
work and effort they have put forth,” said Janelle Comstock,
instructor. “Since I have worked with the ABLE program here, we
have had four students pass the GED test. I have worked with the
ABLE program for 18 years and have had the opportunity to know
50-75 people pass the GED test.”

“No matter what age or level you are when you come back to get
your GED, you can be successful, set goals and work hard to make
them happen. Do it for yourself,” said Billie Ann Walters,
instruction aide.

Members of Lydia
Temple
#199, Pythian Sisters, presented a check for $1,000 to the MonroeCountySeniorCenter.
Alice Piatt, center site manager, accepted the check, noting the
money will be used for steam table repairs, replacing the coffee
maker and whatever the seniors decide they would like to use it
for. Shown, from left, are LydiaTemple
members Betty Ogden, manager; Betty Weber, executive senior;
Alice Piatt; Lydia
Temple
members Mary Wiggins, treasurer and pianist, and Georgia Brown,
secretary. According to the ladies, the money is from the State
of Ohio Grand Temple Pythian Sisters. Not shown
is Pauline Williams, MEC.
Photo by Martha Ackerman

Approximately 30 people representing local businesses,
organizations and government entities attended a meeting which
explored the possibility of trails being developed in Monroe
County.

Dawn R. McCarthy, Ph.D., assistant district ranger, USDA Forest
Service, Wayne
National Forest, Athens Ranger
District, and Bill Scripp, trails district manager, answered
questions fielded from the attendees. Questions raised included:
“Why don’t you have a plan to enhance Monroe
County,” “Do we need to make a plan
and have something to work with,” “What form of support do you
need?” “Can we get something to get the benefit from Lamping
Homestead?”

“Is there a 5, 10 or 20-year plan?” asked former commissioner
Heber Piatt. Scripp replied there is a 5-year plan. To which
Piatt asked, “Is there anything in the 5-year plan for
MonroeCounty?”

To this Scripp said that 90 percent of the money is used to
maintain what they have.

A map outlining a horse riding trail was circulated by Mike
Howell of M&D Horses, Canoes and Kayaks. Questions were raised
as to how this trail could be utilized.
CountyEngineer
Lonnie Tustin
fielded questions regarding a bridge included in the 13 mile
trail.

Public support is needed for any trails to be considered, noted
Scripp. More meetings will be scheduled to coordinate a support
effort.

ROBERT H. BROWN, SR.Robert H. Brown, Sr., 76,
MonroeCountyCareCenter, Woodsfield, died
Feb. 9, 2011 at the center. He was born July 27, 1934 at
Carlisle, a son of the late Ellis and Bernetta
Kinnen Brown.

He was a retired inspector at Ormet Corp., Hannibal; a member of
the former St. Joseph Catholic Church,
Lewisville; a member of the Knights of
Columbus;a former Little League coach and a former president of
the Omal Credit Union. After his retirement, he moved to Holly
HIll, S.C., where he enjoyed volunteering with high school
sports and helping the elderly in the community. He also enjoyed
hunting, fishing and carpentry work.

There was no visitation. A memorial mass will be held at a later
date at St. Sylvester Catholic Church, Woodsfield. Inurnment
will follow in the EasternCemetery, Summer-field.

Memorial contributions may be made to the
MonroeCountyCareCenter, 47045 Moore Ridge Rd., Woodsfield, OH43793.

Arrangements by Watters Funeral Home, Woodsfield.

JUDY K. BLACKSTONEJudy K. Blackstone, 66, 28300 TR 234, Summerfield, died
Feb. 4, 2011 at her home. She was born near Summerfield on Nov.
30, 1944, a daughter of the late Franklin and Dessie Pearl Okey
Reed.

She was a homemaker and formerly attended the CenterFreeMethodist
Church, Sarahsville.

Surviving are her husband, Tom A. Blackstone, of Summerfield.

There was no visitation. Inurnment will be held at the
convenience of the family at the
Mt.TaborCemetery,
near Summerfield.

Arrangements by Brubach-Watters Funeral Home, Summerfield.

WILMA EUNICE KINZY

Wilma Eunice Kinzy, 91, a lifelong resident of the Beallsville
area, died Feb. 11, 2011 at Emeritus at North Hills in
Zanesville. She was born June 28, 1919
near Beallsville, a daughter of the late Luther Vernon and Ada
C. Farrabee Pittman.

She was a retired employee of the Barnesville Sewing Factory; a
member of the Farm Bureau for many years, and a member of the Church of Christ
which she faithfully attended at Ozark.

Surviving are a son, Donald D. (Darla) Kinzy of Zanesville; a
daughter, Janet K. (Carmel) Murray of Ostrander; a
granddaughter, Deanna J. (Randy) Briggs of Zanesville; a
grandson, Clay King of Marysville; two great-grandsons, Mark
(Aubrey) Briggs, Michael Briggs, both of Zanesville; and a
great-great-grandchild is expected in April; a brother, Joe
(Barb) Pittman of New Concord; and many special nieces and
nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
husband, Carl V. Kinzy, whom she married Aug. 3, 1937; a
grandson, Travis Murray; four brothers, Lester, Oscar, Lloyd and
Ray Pittman; and two sisters, Vessie Byrd and Wanda Pittman.

Visitation and funeral services were held Feb. 14 at Harper
Funeral Home, Beallsville, with Minister Don Thompson
officiating. Burial followed in BeallsvilleCemetery.

She spent most of her life as a homemaker and living on a farm
near Calais. She was a member
of the Seneca Valley Church of Christ near Calais.

Surviving are three sons, Dale (Joan) Christman of Lewisville,
Ralph (Karen) Christman of St. Joseph, Michigan, Roger (Janet)
Christman of Baltimore; a brother, Carl R. Earley of
Canton; two sisters-in-law, Cleo Carpenter of
Lewisville, Lucille Block Earley of
Kentucky; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a
great-great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
husband, Lee H. Christman; an infant daughter; three brothers,
Wilford, Sylvan and Floyd Earley; and a sister, Genevieve Earley
Schultz.

Friends will be received Feb. 16, from 5 - 8 p.m. at Watters
Funeral Home, Woodsfield where funeral services will be held
Feb. 17, at 11 a.m., with Frank Love and Kevin Tracy
officiating. Burial followed in CalaisCemetery, Calais.

He was born and raised in
New Hampshire
and he truly held the state’s “Live Free or Die” to heart and
believed in equal rights for all men and women no matter your
race, creed, nationality, or color. He enlisted in the Army in
1942 to serve in WW II. He was stationed in England and
served till the war was over. He went on to college at the University of New Hampshire
and completed it in only two years. He was then accepted into
the prestigious veterinary school, the
University of Pennsylvania (NewBoltonCenter) where he graduated top of his
class - magnum cum laude. He was also a member of his fraternity
Alpha Gamma Rho. He then married his wife Dr. Margaret (Peg)
Olivier in May 1955, and then went to work for the USDA. Doc
(Bud) was then hired by Edgewood Arsenal Proving Grounds to
oversee the goat herds at the Wound-bolistics and Biophysics
Departments.

In Nov. 1963 he was called in by the Kennedy Administra-tion to
investigate the death of JFK. He testified before the Warren
Commission and proved his single bullet theory. He also marched
with Martin Luther King to Washington, D.C.
for the civil rights of all. He was known for his photographic
memory and he was so intelligent that they couldn’t put an I.Q.
number to his level.

In 1977 he retired and moved to a peaceful, beautiful farm
between Sardis and Woodsfield with
his wife Peg.

Surviving are a daughter, Catherine Olivier McCullough of
Sardis; a son, Alfred Garipay Olivier, Jr., of
Baltimore,
Maryland; a brother, Dr. James Olivier of Georgia; a
grandson, Austin Derrick McCullough; and many nieces, nephews
and ever more grand nieces and nephews. He was a font of
knowledge and inspiration to his son and daughter and many
others. He was their hero and greatest dad ever to many more
than just his children. He will be truly missed by so many.

He was preceded in death by his father Anthony Napoleon Olivier
and his mother Gertrude Isabelle Garipay Olivier, his wife, Dr.
Peg Olivier; and a brother, Gordon Olivier.

Friends were received Feb. 9 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 10 at St. Sylvester
Catholic Church, Woodsfield, with Rev. Fr. David Gaydosik
officiating. Burial in the church cemetery.

Vigil services were held Feb. 9 at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.bauerturner.com

NIRA
E. BURKHART
Nira E. Burkhart, 73, 37179 SR 260,
SycamoreValley, died Feb. 11, 2011 at MariettaMemorialHospital.
She was born April 30, 1937 near
SycamoreValley, a daughter of the
late Arlie and Nettie Anderson Martin.

She was a homemaker and a sheep farmer. She was a member of the PleasantRidgeChurch near Graysville.
She enjoyed helping out at the
BethelCommunity Center, Marr,
and also enjoyed piecing quilts.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a
brother, Zaile Martin and a nephew, Stephen Martin.

Friends were received Feb. 13 at Watters Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Feb. 14, with Keith
Jones officiating. Burial followed in CreightonRidgeCemetery near SycamoreValley.

JOSEPH
E. FETTY, SR.Joseph E. Fetty, Sr., 46, 220 Oaklawn Ave., Woodsfield,
went to Heaven on Feb. 11, 2011 surrounded by his loving family
following a long, hard battle with cancer and is no longer in
pain. He was born July 9, 1964, a son of Richard and Mary
Fleischer Bland of Woodsfield.

He was a painter by trade and attended St. Sylvester Catholic
Church, Woodsfield. He was an avid scrapper and loved to spend
time with his family.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his loving wife of 20
wonderful years, Wendy Sydow to care for their children. He was
a very caring and loving father of six children, Nicole (Mark)
Bregar, Brandy (David) Crager, Megan (Kevin) Summers all of
Youngstown and Marlee, Erin and Joey Jr., all of the home;
loving brothers and sisters, James Fetty, Henry (Mary) Fetty,
William (Andrea) Fetty, all of Youngstown, Tina Fetty (Mike)
Addison of Michigan, Tracy Doss of Texas; and three
grandchildren, Madison, Gavin and Keagan.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Emily and numerous
family and friends. He will be missed by all who knew him.

There was no visitation or service. Burial will be held at the
convenience of the family.

Arrangements by Watters Funeral Home, Woodsfield.

LEWIS DEAN HENSELLewis Dean Hensel, 74, Fly, died Feb. 11, 2011 at WetzelCountyHospital, New
Martinsville. He was born Sept. 10, 1936 in Brownsville, a son of the late Raymond and
Anna Bonam Hensel.

He was a member and Deacon of the
GravelHillBaptistChurch at Fly and a
U.S.Army veteran. He had worked as a ferry boat pilot for
Sistersville, Jackson Township Trustee for eight years, was a
mechanic for Knowlton Ford for over 37 years and was currently
the groundskeeper at Rivers Edge Camp Ground and ActivityCenter.

Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Garnet Ritchie Hensel of
Fly; a daughter, Jacqueline “Jacie” (Fred) Binegar of Antioch; a
brother, Neal (Barbara) Hensel of Brownsville; a sister, Sharon
(Leonard) Ritchie of New Matamoras; two grandchildren, Heather
(Josh) Smith of Reno, Logan Dean Binegar of Antioch; and several
nieces and nephews.

Friends were received Feb. 15 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services will be held Feb. 16 at 2
p.m., with Pastor Jim Dickey officiating. Burial in
MehrleyCemetery, Fly.
www.bauerturner.com

ETHEL
E. EBERLEEthel E. Eberle, 98, Ozark, (Beallsville), died Feb.
11, 2011 at the Woodsfield Nursing and
RehabilitationCenter. She was born May
7, 1912 in Bellaire, a daughter of the late Elmer and Mary Steed
Truex.

She was a member of Ozark Church of Christ and she and her late
husband, Clifford, were custodians of the Monroe County Court
House for a number of years.